Storage rack for green tires and other articles



Dec. 29, 1942 J. E. BALES STORAGE RACK FOR GREEN TIRES ANIS OTHER ARTICLES Filed March 5, 1941 3 Sh ee'ts-Sheet 1 Dec. 29,1942. J. E. BALES a 3 52 STORAGE RACK FOR GREEN TIRES AND' OTHER ARTICLES Filed March 5, 1941 3 She is-Sheet 2 Wm WNW J. EL BALES Dec. 29, 41942.

STORAGE RACK FOR GREEN-TIRES AND OTHER ARTICLES Filed March 5, 1941 :5 sheet's-sneei 3 Patented Dec. 29, 1942 I mottle- STORAGE RACK FOR GREEN TIRES AND OTHER ARTICLES 7 James E. Bales, Aurora, 111., assignor to Lyon- Metal Products, Incorporated, Aurora, 111., a H corporation of Illinois Application March 5, 1941, *Serial No.jas1,820

(o1. zi -23) 8 Claims.

This invention relates to a rack Construction for storing green tires, and among the objects of the invention are to provide a rack for storing automobile green tires, which will permit the tires or the like to be located in easy accessible Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 88 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the parts that go to make up one supporting rack'or cantilever position, requiring the minimum of floor space both when the tires are in' stored position, or when the racks are empty; to provide a strong and sturdy rack construction comprising a skeleton supporting frame work adapted to be arranged centrally in the assembled structure and carrying vertically adjustable arms extending outwardly, each arm separately supporting a tire storing shelf formed of sheet metal and fastened to the arm in a manner to permit disengagement of the arm and its shelf from the skeleton structure; to provide a rack of the above described type, including the provision of knock-down characteristics, possessing the foregoing advantages, and which may be readily and cheaply manufactured, easily assembled by inexperienced labor, and which may readily again be taken apart and reassembled; to provide a novel construction and arrangement of mounting and connecting individual sheet metal shelves to individual angle iron strips folded upon themselves, and'wherein the sheet metal shelf is welded at its outer'ends to the angle strip, and wherein the metal shelf is provided at its inner end with a disengageable tang adapted interlockingly to engage the opposed undersides of the angle iron when the latter is secured in position to the skeleton frame, and wherein the sheet metal shelf construction permits disengagement of the angle iron from the skeleton frame; to provide these and other objects of the invention as will be apparent from a perusal of the following specifica' tion when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, wherein-- 1 t Figure 1 is an end elevational view of the improved rack; Figure 2 is a front elevational view thereof;

Figure 3 is a plan sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1; V

Figure 4 is a vertical, sectional view taken the line 4-4 of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a cross se'ctio-nal view taken 0 line 66 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan sectional view of the device, showing the manner and method of applying a. tool in the process ofassembling the device;

the

"iron clamps 8.

arm;

7 Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line Iii-I0 of Figured; and 1 Figure 11 is a perspective view of the upright frame member and its associated braces and struts; I

' For the purpose of illustratingthe invention, it is shown as amodification or improvement on the patents to Walter N. Vance, No. 1,560,122 is sued November 3, 1925, and No. 1,620,84lissued March '15, 1927. f

1 The invention in the present construction possesses a number of novel features not disclosed in the prior mentioned patents, and it-is to these features that the claims of the present invention are directed.

The rack is preferablyof a construction adapted to be installed between the floor 2 and ceiling 4 of'any desired storage space. Generally, the rack comprises a relatively elongated base plate-6, to which a plurality of spaced apart angularly arranged clamps 8 are fastened each such clamp having an upstanding flange 10 adapted to receive bolts I2; These bolts, in turn, secure a pair of hollow vertical posts l4 and It in rigid upright position. Each one of'iche'se posts is formed of sheet metal of relatively heavy gauge stock bent upon itself to form a hollow, rectangular construction with the opposed ends l8 and 20 extending vertically and juxtaposed. The two posts 14 and I6 are exactly alike so that the flange portions 18 and 20 face each other and receive therebetween a sheet metal strip 22, which may besecured between the 'posts by welding or in any desired'manner, whereby to form a vertically extending rigid post construction, -which projects upwardly to the ceiling 4. At the top the posts l4 and I6 receive bolts24 and 26 which engage an outer angle'clamp or plate 28, in turn bolted as-at 30 to the ceiling member 4. In addition to the two exterior posts l4 and I6, which extend full length from the floor to the ceiling, there is provided a plurality of intermediate spaced apart posts 32 which are identical in construction and are fastened to the base strip 6 by identical angle These intermediate posts, however, extend short of theceiling 4, but at the top are bolted or welded to a horizontally extending cross brace 34, which is bolted as at 36 at each end to the outermost vertical hollow posts Hand I6 (see Figure 11).

In addition, there is, if desired, a series of lower horizontal cross braces 38 which are bolted to pairs of adjacent vertical posts I4 and 32, whereby to provide rigidity. So also, there are used a number of diagonally extending struts. An uppermost strut 40, which is bolted by means of the bolt 24 to the outermost posts I4 and by the bolt 42 to the top horizontal cross brace 34. In addition, there are other diagonal struts 44, 46, 48, and 50, which are bolted between the outermost vertical posts I4 and the next adjacent vertical posts 32. These diagonal struts lie in vertical planes, and firmly and simply rigidify the entire skeleton frame work. 1

From an inspection of Figures 1 and 4, it is to be seen that the vertical posts l4 and I6 and the intermediate posts 32 are provided with a series of vertically disposed, spaced apart bayonet slots 52, which slots are arranged with the head portion uppermost, so that, when a pin or tang is inserted in the wider space at the head, the tang may be forced downwardly to be firmly lodged within the narrower throat of the bayonet slot in a well known manner. By reason of these vertically spaced slots, various spaced apart adjustments to the cantilever shelf members (hereinafter described) are provided.

A plurality of oppositely extending, spaced apart, adjustable cantilever shelf supports 53 are provided, each of which comprises an elongated, angular strip 54 (see Figure 9), which is bent at the middle upon itself to provide an outer rounded end 56 and two spaced apart ends 58 and 60. The metal of the horizontal flange 54 of this angle iron stop 52 is cut away as at 64 and 65 at the outer end and at 58 and 10 at the inner end. In addition, each one of these cantilever arms or supports includes a sheet metal brace and covering I2, generally in the form shown in Figure 9, which is arranged so that the upper edges 14 and I5, as shown in Figure 5, lie flush with the upper edges I and 80 of the angle arm 54. This supporting member I2 is provided with a diagonally inclined undersurface 82, which at its lower edge constitutes a relatively broad bearing 84 adapted to engage the sides 85 of the vertical posts I4, I6, and 32; and, in addition, the member I2 is provided with an outer edge 88 (see Figure 4) which engages the lower edges 90 of the angle arms 53.'

As shown in Figure 4, the outer end of this sheet metal member 12 is riveted as at 92 to each side of the angle arm 53, and at its innermost end is riveted as at 94 to the innermost ends of the angle arm 54. In this connection each one of these rivets 94 is provided with a large head or tang 96 which is adapted to enter the wider, upper portion of the bayonet slots 52.

In addition, a bolt or pin 98 is adapted to pass through registering holes I00 in the lower portion of the member I2, as shown in Figure 5, for the purpose hereinafter described. This bolt likewise passes through the head or wider portions of the immediately beneath bayonet slots formed in the vertically extending posts I4 and I0.

Each such cantilever arm thus extending outwardly from the vertical posts is arranged to support an elongated, relatively narrow individual shelf I02 formed of sheet metal. These shelves are shown in Figures 3 and 4 and, as formed, extend considerably beyond the rounded or folded end 56 of the beneath angle iron. Each such sheet metal shelf I02 is preferably curved downwardly as at I04 its two longitudinal sides so as to provide a mantled from the vertically extending posts, and

while also the inner end of the overlying sheet metal shelf may be rigidly held down upon the beneath, underlying supporting angle iron. To

at its outer end and along this end, the inner end of each shelf I02 is slotted as at II2 to provide a bent-down tang H4 having shoulders H6. The neck II5 of this tang II4, as shown more clearly in Figure 5, is adapted to lie between the opposed longitudinal edges H8 and I20 of the upwardly extending arms of the angle iron 53 and the shoulders H5 thereof, thereby underlying the horizontal spaced apart flanges of this angle iron, whereby the innermost end of each shelf member is held snugly down upon the inner end of the angle iron construction by means of these tangs.

At the same time this construction will permit the two innermost ends of the arms 53 to be shifted outwardly whereby to disengage the tangs 96 carried by each one of these arms out of the upper ends of the bayonet slots 52in the manner shown in Figure 8, and this is accomplished by removing the bolt 98 and inserting a tool I22 which has an angularly disposed operating head I24 through the aperture I26 in the top of the shelf I 02 at its innermost end. When this tool is properly inserted by giving a ninety degree turn, it will force apart the innermost ends H8 and. I20 of the arms 54, whereby to spread tangs 96 outwardly and away from the slots 52, whereby the entire cantilever arm construction with its connected shelf I02 may be dismantled or removed from the vertical hollow posts, and in a similar manner whereby each one of these arms may be assembled in adjustable position to the hollow posts, when desired.

By reason of the foregoing construction, it will be appreciated that each cantilever arm has rigidly and permanently connected thereto its individual, elongated sheet metal shelf construction which is'connected in such a way, so that, while the sheet metal shelf is permanently united .to the underlying angle supporting arms 54, it still permits these angle irons to be spread apart so as to permit practically instant installation of the cantilever and shelf to the vertical supports, or permits their removal therethrough, and this is accomplished by inserting the parting tool through the only aperture of the sheet metal shelf to permit dismantling in a minimum of time and with facility. Thus, there is provided a very simple, rugged, compact shelf construction possessing the inherent characteristics hereinbefore described.

Changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the several parts with out departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its numerous advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described my invention. what I agcoasm claim as newv and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: s. I

,1. In a shelf or storage rack, the combination of a base support and atop support, two spaced outermost verticalposts each fixed at its upper and lower ends to the lower and upper supports, respectively, a plurality of relatively shorter vertical posts disposed in spaced vertical arrangement :between said outermost posts, an upper cross brace disposed horizontally between :said spaced outermost'posts and having its opposite ends connected to said outermost posts, diagonally disposed struts connected at their upper ends to the top portion of each outermost vertical post, the bottom endv of each strut being Con-r nected'to the outermost portions of the upper cross brace, intermediate relatively short horizontally, disposed cross braces interconnecting opposed portions of the intermediate posts, additional diagonal struts interconnecting the outermost vertical posts and the next adjacent intermediate vertical posts, and cantilever arms extending outwardly from opposite sides of each vertical post, and shelves carried by said cantilever arms.

2. The combination of a plurality of spaced apart vertically disposed posts each having vertically spaced arm attaching means, cantilever arms extending out from said posts each having a pair of resilient inner free ends spaced apart and having means thereon adapted to engage said arm attaching means on said posts and to 'be held connected thereto by the resilience of the free ends, a substantially imperforate sheet metal shelf overlying said arm and welded at portions relatively remote from its inner end to the outer portion of said arm, th inner end of said sheet metal member being disconnected from the inner portions of the free ends of said arm, said sheet metal member having an aperture adjacent its inner end to permit the insertion of a tool therethrough between spaced apart inner free ends of said arms, whereby to force the same apart to release the fastening means on said free ends from said attaching means on said posts.

3. In a device of the class described in combination with a plurality of Vertically disposed posts having spaced apart fastening means vertically disposed thereon, a plurality of cantilever arms each comprising opposed inner spring metal free end portions spaced apart and each free end having fastening means thereon adapted, when said ends are relatively closely adjacent each other, lockingly to engage with said corresponding fastening means on said posts whereby to hold said arms rigidly in position on said posts, a sheet metal shelf member permanently connected to the outer portion of said cantilever arm, the inner portions of said cantilever arms being capable of substantial movement toward and from each other and relatively to said shelf, and said sheet metal shelf being constructed to permit the insertion of a tool between the opposed spaced apart portions of the cantilever arm to cause the same to be wedged apart to release the fastening means of said arm from the cooperative fastening means on the post.

4. In a device of the character described in combination with means providing a vertical post having spaced apart bayonet slots vertically disposed thereon, a cantilever arm comprising a length of angle iron metal bent upon itself to provide a doubled outer portion having two relatively parallel free arms the inner portions of whicnlie. i-nzspaced apart relatively close juxta-' position, the opposed facesof the ends of the free arms each being provided with ahead adapted to-ienter the widerzzportioni of a bayonet slot under the spring. metalinfluence of said free arms to move towa'rdieach: other whereby to hold said heads in said slots, and la -substantially imperforate sheet metalzshelf welded at a portion relatively'remote' from its inner end to said canti lever arm theinner ends of said shelf andarms being free of interconnecting welded portions, the I innerwend of said sheet metal shelf having a downwardly projecting tang formed with-lateral shoulderssaid tang depending through the space between the opposed faces of the free ends of the arm member and underlying portions thereof, said sheet metal member having an opening permitting the insertion of a tool between the opposed spaced edges of said free arms to permit the arms to be wedged apart whereby said heads are released from said bayonet slots, said lateral shoulderson said'tang being suflicient in extent to allowthe spreading movement of said free ends without disengaging said depending shoulder from the overlying portions of said free ends.

5. In a device of the class described in combination with a vertical post having a series of vertically opposed, spaced apart bayonet slots, an angle iron having a horizontal flange, said'iron being folded upon itself to provide a bent, outer portion and two parallelly disposed legs spaced apart between the horizontal flanges, the free' ends of said angle iron each having a fastening member provided with a head adapted to enter the opposed bayonet slots on said posts, whereby to hold said angle iron in outwardly extending position relative to saidpost, a sheet metal shelf member rigidly connected to the bent outer portion of said angle iron leaving the inner ends of said angle iron free to move toward and from each other, said sheet metal shelf having means for permitting the insertion of a tool between said free ends of said horizontal flanges of said angle iron for spreading the same apart to release the fastening means of the free ends of said angle iron from said bayonet slots.

6. A rack comprising spaced uprights, supporting arms engaged therewith and extending laterally therefrom, each of said arms comprising a metal member with its outer end bent in looped formation to provide two relatively parallel legs, said legs having inherent resilienceoperating to maintain themselves in parallel relatively closetogether yet spaced-apart position, each of the free ends of said legs having fastening means and said upright having cooperative fastening means adapted to engage by means of the resiliency of the legs with the fastening means of each leg when said said arms are in substantially parallel position, whereby detachably to hold said arm in lateral, substantially horizontal position with respect to said upright, and a sheet metal shelf-like member overlying and enclosing the top portion of the arm throughout its length and means for permanently connecting said sheet metal shelf-like member to said arm in a manner to allow lateral inward and outward movement of said arms with respect to each other to permit the fastening means thereon to disengage from the fastening means of said post.

7. In a shelf or rack construction, the com bination of a number of'uprights, cantilever arms extending out therefrom and each consisting of a metal member returned upon itself providing a pair of normally substantially parallel legs having inherent resilience for movement ina substantially horizontal plane toward and from each other, said upright and the free ends of said legs having cooperative fastening means for securing said leg members to an appropriate upright when said legs are substantially parallel and a sheet metal shelf member extending substantially from the inner end of said legs outwardly well beyond the folded end of said arm and covering said arm, means for securing said shelf member permanently to each leg at points relatively remote from the inner ends of said legs, and means for securing the inner end of said shelf member detachably to the inner ends of said legs, said last mentioned means allowing relative lateral movement of said legs to allow the detachmentof said arm from said upright.

8. In a shelf or track construction, the combination of a number of uprights, cantilever arms extending out therefrom and each consisting of a metal member returned upon itself providing a pair of normally substantially parallel legs having inherent resilience for movement in a substantially horizontal plane toward and from each other, each upright and the free ends of said legs having cooperative fastening means for securing said leg members to said upright when said legs are in substantial parallelism, and a sheet metal shelf. member extending substantially from the inner end of said legs outwardly well beyond the folded end of said member and covering the same, means for securing said shelf member permanently to each leg at points relatively remote from the inner ends of said legs, and means for securing the inner end of said shelf member detachably to the inner ends of said legs, said last mentioned means allowing relative lateral movement of said legs to allow the detachment of said arm from said upright, and a sheet metal housing surround ing the underside of the inner ends of said legs, said housing having upper free ends permanently attached to the sides of the innermost ends of said legs, said housing engaging the undersides of said legs and the vertical sides of said uprights.

JAMES E. BALES. 

